Sumanadevii
02-21-2008, 07:42 AM
BELLEVILLE — A Fairview Heights man shook a 5-month-old baby girl to death, prosecutors said Wednesday.
Kenneth C. Zook, 22, has been charged with first-degree murder. Police said Wednesday that they were waiting for a final review of the case by prosecutors, which could add charges.
On Sunday night, police were called to a Belleville apartment where they found Alayna Frazier, the baby, not breathing.
Officers revived the child and rushed her to St. Elizabeth's Hospital in Belleville. The baby was later airlifted to a St. Louis hospital, where she died Monday evening.
Police said they suspected foul play from the start when they saw bruises on the baby's head and neck.
Zook had his first appearance in court Wednesday morning. He is described by police as a friend of the baby's mother and didn't have a romantic relationship with her.
"To my knowledge, there are no additional suspects," Belleville police Capt. Don Sax said.
The baby's parents could not be reached for comment.
Zook has had a long history of run-ins with area police. In 2005, he was arrested and accused of domestic battery, but the charges were dismissed.
"Over the last two years, Kenneth has hit me five times and has been very verbally abusive," a former girlfriend alleged in an order of protection petition. "He also tells me every time we argue that he is going to kill me."
http://www.stltoday.com/stltoday/news/stories.nsf/illinoisnews/story/ACC6853CF71A8650862573F60018C2E9?OpenDocument
Lock the monster up for life.
Kenneth C. Zook, 22, has been charged with first-degree murder. Police said Wednesday that they were waiting for a final review of the case by prosecutors, which could add charges.
On Sunday night, police were called to a Belleville apartment where they found Alayna Frazier, the baby, not breathing.
Officers revived the child and rushed her to St. Elizabeth's Hospital in Belleville. The baby was later airlifted to a St. Louis hospital, where she died Monday evening.
Police said they suspected foul play from the start when they saw bruises on the baby's head and neck.
Zook had his first appearance in court Wednesday morning. He is described by police as a friend of the baby's mother and didn't have a romantic relationship with her.
"To my knowledge, there are no additional suspects," Belleville police Capt. Don Sax said.
The baby's parents could not be reached for comment.
Zook has had a long history of run-ins with area police. In 2005, he was arrested and accused of domestic battery, but the charges were dismissed.
"Over the last two years, Kenneth has hit me five times and has been very verbally abusive," a former girlfriend alleged in an order of protection petition. "He also tells me every time we argue that he is going to kill me."
http://www.stltoday.com/stltoday/news/stories.nsf/illinoisnews/story/ACC6853CF71A8650862573F60018C2E9?OpenDocument
Lock the monster up for life.